Tragedy struck last night when at least 37 people died and 15 others were
injured at a Lantern Festival gathering at a Miyun County Park 65 kilometres
northeast of downtown Beijing.

Journalists film
the site of a stampede on a bridge which left 37 people dead, at Miyun, a
northern suburb of Beijing early Friday Feb. 6, 2004.[AP
Photo]

Authorities said the accident occurred at
7:45 pm at Mihong Park when a visitor stumbled on an overcrowded bridge and in
the confusion people were crushed in an oncoming throng.

Thousands of people had come to watch the specially prepared lanterns
featured at the annual festival.

Witnesses said frantic parents were searching for their children in the
freezing night air after the crush. All that was left after the bodies were
taken away was scattered clothes and shoes and an eerie quiet.

Many of the victims were crushed and suffocated to death by crowd, Xinhua
News Agency reported.

Most of the people killed were women and children, some as young as
seven-years-old, said a witness.

Emergency crews transported the injured to the People's Hospital of Miyun
County, a county public security official told China Daily.

A boy is in
coma late in the night on February 5, 2004 in Miyun hospital hours after
the lantern festival stampede . At least 37 people died and 15
others were injured. [The Beijing News]

President Hu Jintao urged all possible measures and utmost efforts in the
rescue work and proper care for the injured. Other State leaders, including
Premier Wen Jiabao, also voiced their concerns.

Beijing Party chief Liu Qi and Acting Mayor Wang Qishan rushed to the site to
help direct rescue work.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident.

The Lantern Festival is the 15th and last day of the Lunar New Year period
when people traditionally go out to see lanterns.